The Central Otago District Council has applied to itself for resource consent to build a visitor and information centre that breaches the minimum floor area for the business area, breaches the maximum building height allowed and breaches the total area of signs allowed per site.
Eight submissions were received - three in support, three opposed and two neutral.
Independent commissioner Denis Nugent, of Wanaka, heard the application yesterday and reserved his decision.
Sheryl Kernahan, of Cromwell, opposed resource consent being granted. She said it was "inexcusable" that a site plan did not form part of the application.
A map showing the proposed site for the centre was tabled at yesterday's hearing.
BTW South Ltd applied for the resource consent on behalf of the council and the company's planning manager, Anita Dawe, said the building would be located "no further north than the southern extent of the fruit [sculpture]."
The map showed it covering part of the car park off Murray Tce, next to the big fruit, but the exact location would depend on final design planning , including the layout of the parking area, she said.
Businessman Gary Anderson, of Cromwell, said he supported the building as long as there was sufficient car parking and the building was linked in some way to the retail area. He criticised the sketchy detail in the application.
"If an individual lodged an application like this, they'd be told to get more information. The council should be embarrassed by its application."
There was no site detailed, nothing marking the actual site and no details on the colour of the building, Mr Anderson said.
"It's a lame application, lacking a whole lot of detail."
Shona Rae, of Cromwell, agreed, saying she was unhappy with the lack of information, particularly about the site. It was difficult for the council to justify spending a large sum of money when there were empty buildings in the mall, she added.
Several submitters raised concerns about the level of retail activity planned at the building.
"The prime activity of the new information centre will be bookings; that's the key activity, not information," Ms Dawe said. The type of retail activity planned was that already carried out at information centres - selling tourist-related items.
Council planning consultant David Whitney recommended the commissioner grant consent, subject to conditions.
